Hunter, Fisher Announce NBPA Has Decertified, Will File Antitrust Suit

The NBPA today rejected the owners' latest proposal for a new CBA, decertified as a union and outlined plans to file a class-action antitrust suit against the NBA. NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter and President Derek Fisher announced the move in a press conference attended by team reps and other players. Hunter said that the collective bargaining process has "completely broken down." Hunter: "We have negotiated in good faith for over two years ... but the players just felt that they have given enough." Fisher said that the decision to decertify was made "in unanimous fashion" today. Fisher reiterated that it was the NBPA's lawyers who would now "lead the day" toward getting a new labor deal. Fisher: "This is where it stops for us as a union."

Hunter also said that the NBPA has added to its legal team David Boies, who represented the NFL during its recent lockout (NBA.com, 11/14).